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Species · Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Virginia

All statesGeneralists

Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Virginia has edged down: down 15% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-15%Since 1968TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
85Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
58YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Yellow-billed Cuckoo Trends in VirginiaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Virginia. See the full index history below.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Forecast in Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Virginia is projected to fall about 25% by 2029 — from 4.1 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.1 (95% range 0.00–6.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±32%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-25%Change by 2029TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
3.1Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–6.295% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±32%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Virginia is projected to fall about 25% by 2029 — from 4.1 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.1 (95% range 0.00–6.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±32%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20253.20.006.4
20263.20.006.3
20273.10.006.3
20283.10.006.3
20293.10.006.2

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Survey Routes in Virginia

Routes recording Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Virginia.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Brandon1920241992
Big Meadows1920231993
Newsoms1820241967
Church Road1320241966
Surry1320241977
Branchville1320241966
Gladys1220241994
Irisburg1120241976
Newville1120241988
David1020131968
Wylliesburg1020191971
Moran920241996
Finchley920211994
Waverly719871978
Lake Anna720242021
Port Royal620191977
Quinby620241966
Brandy Station620242017
Carters Brdg 2620242015
Cape Charles620181992
Partlow520151977
Ft Pickett N519951993
Truhart520241996
Jerome420231971
Concord420241967

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.